Chelsea XI vs Morecambe: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup today

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Evening Standard

·11 de janeiro de 2025

Chelsea XI vs Morecambe: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for FA Cup today

All change as the Blues look to avoid major third round upset against fourth-tier strugglers at Stamford Bridge

Enzo Maresca will hand opportunities to a number of fringe Chelsea players when Morecambe visit today in the third round of the FA Cup.

Vídeos OneFootball

Maresca had been able to give the bulk of his squad regular minutes throughout the first half of the season as his side alternated between weekend Premier League matches and Conference League games in midweek.

The Blues do not return to European action until early March now, though, meaning Saturday’s third round tie will offer a rare opportunity for wholesale rotation.

Maresca confirmed on Friday that both Reece James and Romeo Lavia are fit to play after their respective hamstring injuries.

However, Ben Chilwell and Cesare Casadei will not be involved as they look likely to leave Chelsea this month.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is out injured, while Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile remain long-term absentees.

That set of circumstances could pave the way for academy graduate Samuel Rak-Sakyi to start in midfield.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; James, Acheampong, Disasi, Veiga; Lavia, Rak-Sakyi; Madueke, Nkunku, Felix; Guiu

Injured: Fofana, Badiashile, Dewsbury-Hall

Unavailable: Mudryk

Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday January 11, 2025